Universal cover plate

ABSTRACT

An electrical cover plate includes a base having a planar member. A first set of removable tabs is connected to the base so that removal of the first set of removable tabs forms a first set aperture, and a second set of removable tabs is connected to the base so that removal of the second set of removable tabs forms a second set aperture. The first set aperture and the second set aperture may each be bounded by an aperture periphery line so that the aperture periphery lines intersect. Also, the first tab set and the second tab set may have at least one tab in common, and each tab set may be bounded by a tab set periphery line so that the tab set periphery lines intersect. The tabs may be connected to the base by grooved connectors, connecting tabs, or other connections that removably connect the tabs to the base. The apertures may be shaped and positioned to receive a variety of specified electrical devices, such as round electrical sockets, duplex outlet sockets, ground-fault circuit interrupt sockets, or light switches.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of patent application by Shotey, etal. entitled “Universal Cover Plate”, Ser. No. 10/815,303, filed Mar.31, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,887, which is a continuation of theearlier patent application by Shotey et al. entitled “Universal CoverPlate,” Ser. No. 10/602,271, filed Jun. 23, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.6,723,922, which is a continuation of the earlier patent application byShotey et al. entitled “Universal Cover Plate,” Ser. No. 10/066,071,filed Feb. 1, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,358, which is a continuationof the earlier patent application by Shotey et al. entitled “UniversalCover Plate,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,441,307, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a cover plate for electricaloutlets, and more particularly to a universal cover plate that can beconverted into a desired specific cover plate by detaching removabletabs.

2. Background Art

Cover plates enclose outlets behind a wall, thereby preventinginadvertent access to the electrically conductive elements of theoutlets and hiding the unattractive wiring. The electrical devicesattached at the outlet vary, and consequently cover plates of manyvarieties are known. For example, electric sockets, both standard andground fault current interrupts; light switches, both toggle and rockerplates; and cable television or telephone ports may be wired at a givenoutlet. The outlets may be used for indoor or outdoor weatherproofwiring, or may require a locked cover.

Each type of outlet has a different type of cover plate configured forit. To install or service the outlets, an electrician must carry severaltypes of cover plates to each site, necessitating the ordering andinventorying of many types of cover plates. This is time-consuming,expensive and inefficient. It is desirable, therefore, to have auniversal cover plate to accommodate most commonly-encountered outlets.

To this end, a partial solution to the problem is known in the artincluding a three-piece cover plate with interchangeable parts. The baseof this device has two pieces, a frame having a rectangular aperture andan insert that fills the aperture. Several versions of inserts areavailable, depending on the type of device to be wired. For example, oneinsert accommodates a duplex electrical socket and a separate insertaccommodates a ground-fault circuit interrupt. The base is hinged at oneend to receive a mated lid, thereby creating a hinged enclosure. Thedesired insert is chosen, inserted into the aperture of the frame, thelid attached, and the cover plate attached to the wall. To use thisdevice for various types of outlets multiple parts must be carried bythe electrician, including multiple inserts, bases, and lids. The priorart therefore does not solve the problem of having to order, stock andcarry many different parts. Furthermore, the variety of cover plates islimited to the number of inserts, and only a single-axis hinged lid isknown, and the base-lid pair does not allow for a base without a lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,831 to Shotey, which issued on Jun. 9, 1998, (the'831 patent) is incorporated herein by reference for its supportiveteachings. The '831 patent is a significant advancement toward apractical cover plate that is convertible between different specificcover plate configurations. Shotey discloses a cover plate having tabsthat can be removed to convert the cover plate to different specificcover plate configurations. However, the embodiments disclosed in the'831 patent are each able to be converted to only a limited number ofspecific cover plate configurations.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Therefore, there existed a need to provide a practical cover plate thatis convertible between several different specific configurations. Thepresent invention provides such a cover plate that is convertiblebetween several different configurations without the need for anexcessive number of parts.

According to the present invention, an electrical cover plate includes abase having a planar member. A first set of removable tabs is connectedto the base so that removal of the first set of removable tabs forms afirst set aperture, and a second set of removable tabs is connected tothe base so that removal of the second set of removable tabs forms asecond set aperture. The first set aperture and the second set aperturemay each be bounded by an aperture periphery line so that the apertureperiphery lines intersect. Also, the first tab set and the second tabset may have at least one tab in common, and each tab set may be boundedby a tab set periphery line so that the tab set periphery linesintersect. The tabs may be connected to the base by grooved connectors,connecting tabs, or other connections that removably connect the tabs tothe base. The intersecting aperture periphery lines and tab setperiphery lines and the corresponding overlapping areas of adjacentpotential apertures allows the base to be converted to a much largervariety of configurations without requiring additional parts.

The base plate can include more than two tab sets that can be removed toform even more varieties of apertures. The apertures may be shaped andpositioned to receive a variety of specified electrical devices, such asround electrical sockets, duplex outlet sockets, ground-fault circuitinterrupt sockets, or light switches. The base may include removablehinge members on multiple substantially non-parallel sides that areadapted to mate with removable hinge members of a cover. Also, the basemay define a head aperture that is shaped and positioned to receive thehead of a fastener and a shank aperture that is shaped and positioned toreceive the shank of the fastener, but not the head of the fastener.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of preferredembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, where likedesignations denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a base for a cover plate according to anembodiment of the present invention without hinge members thereon.

FIG. 2 is a broken away sectional view of a key hole taken along line2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a broken away sectional view of a preferred grooved connectorfor a polymeric base taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a broken away sectional view of a preferred grooved connectorfor a metallic base taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view the base of FIG. 1 showing the top duplex tab setand aperture and the bottom duplex tab set and aperture in dashed lines.

FIG. 6 is a front view the base of FIG. 1 showing the light switch tabset and aperture in dashed lines.

FIG. 7 is a front view the base of FIG. 1 showing the small single roundtab set and aperture in dashed lines.

FIG. 8 is a front view the base of FIG. 1 showing a larger single roundtab set and aperture in dashed lines.

FIG. 9 is a front view the base of FIG. 1 showing the ground-faultcircuit interrupt tab set and aperture in dashed lines.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a base for a cover plate according to anembodiment of the present invention with hinge members thereon.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a cover for a cover plate according to anembodiment of the present invention with hinge members thereon.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an assembled cover plate including the base ofFIG. 10 and the cover of FIG. 11 with the hinge members along the longside of the base and cover having been removed.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a cover plate 110 includes a generally rectangularplanar base 112 and plural removable tabs 114. Tabs 114 are preferablyintegral with base 112. However, they may be non-integral tabs such assnap-in tabs. A different set of tabs may be removed, such as bycutting, sawing, or prying, to produce each of a top duplex aperture, abottom duplex aperture, a light switch aperture, and several differentsizes of single round apertures. Each aperture is bounded by acorresponding aperture periphery line, and each set of tabs is boundedby a corresponding tab set periphery line. Unlike the embodiments of the'831 patent, the tab set periphery lines and the aperture peripherylines corresponding to different configurations intersect so that theareas of potential apertures overlap. In the embodiments of the '831patent, potential aperture areas were nested within each other, but theaperture periphery lines did not intersect. The intersecting apertureperiphery lines and the corresponding overlapping areas of adjacentpotential apertures allows base 112 to be converted to a much largervariety of configurations without requiring additional parts.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, cover plate 110 does not include acover. However, as described below, a base similar to base 112 mayinclude hinge members so that a cover could be attached to the base.Base 112 preferably includes a planar member 116 and a continuous flange118 that extends from the periphery of planar member 116 and that isgenerally perpendicular to planar member 116.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, base 112 defines various holes for receivingmounting screws. Different holes may be used depending on theconfiguration of the holes to which cover plate 110 will be secured.Base 112 defines top and bottom key holes 130. Each key hole 130preferably includes a head aperture or hole 132 that extends fullythrough planar member 116 of base 112. Head aperture 132 is preferablysized to receive a head of a fastener such as a mounting screw. A shankaperture or slot 134 extends through planar member 116 and extends tothe side from head aperture 132. Preferably shank aperture 134 is sizedso that it can receive a shank of a fastener such as a mounting screw,but so that it cannot receive the head thereof. Shank aperture 134 isbounded on either side by a shoulder 136.

Referring back to FIG. 1, base 112 also defines box screw holes 140 forreceiving mounting screws. Also, removable tabs 114 define top andbottom mounting screw holes 142 and a center mounting screw hole 144.Different mounting screw holes will be utilized depending on theconfiguration. For example, in the duplex configuration the centermounting hole 144 may receive a mounting screw, while in a light switchconfiguration top and bottom mounting screw holes 142 might receivemounting screws. Other configurations of mounting holes may also be usedwith the present invention.

Removable tabs 114 are preferably connected to each other and to base112 by grooved connectors 150 (shown by dark lines in FIGS. 1 and 5-9).Grooved connectors 150 define removable tabs 114 since removal of tabs114 is accomplished by breaking the material along grooved connectors150. The dimensions and shape of the grooved connectors 150 willpreferably vary depending on the material used for tabs 114 and base112. For example, referring to FIG. 3 if base 112 and tabs 114 are madefrom a polymer such as polycarbonate, each grooved connector 150preferably includes a front groove 152 extending inwardly from the frontside of base 112 and an opposing rear groove 154 extending inwardly fromthe rear side of base 112. As an example, tabs 114 may be about 0.1 inchthick and front groove 152 may extend toward the rear from about 0.04inch to about 0.05 inch, while rear groove 154 may extend toward thefront from about 0.02 inch to about 0.04 inch. It may be preferably tohave the outer grooved connectors have grooves that are not as deep asthe grooves of the inner grooved connectors so that the outer tabs willnot be inadvertently removed when removing the inner tabs. For example,the outermost grooved connectors may include a front groove that extendsrearwardly about 0.04 inch and a rear groove that extends toward thefront about 0.02 inch, and the inner grooved connectors may include afront groove that extends rearwardly about 0.05 inch and a rear groovethat extends toward the front about 0.04 inch. For all the groovedconnectors 150, a balance must be achieved between easy removal of tabs114 and sufficient strength in the connections of the tabs 114 thatremain after the selected tab set (or sets) is removed. If such abalance is achieved the tabs may be easily removed by breaking thematerial along the grooved connectors that connect the tabs to base 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, if base 112 and tabs 114 are metallic, such aszinc, aluminum, or magnesium, each grooved connector 150 preferablyincludes only a front groove. As an example, the front groove for a zincbase 112 that has tabs 114 that are about 0.037 thick, not including anypaint or finishing that may be applied, includes a grooved connector 150that extends rearwardly about 0.017 inch. As with a polymer base, it maybe preferable to have the outer grooved connectors of a metallic basenot be as deep as the inner grooved connectors so that the outer tabswill not be inadvertently removed when removing the inner tabs.

Referring back to FIG. 1, tabs 114 define a top initial aperture 160 anda bottom initial aperture 162. Such initial apertures 160, 162 are notnecessary, but they are preferable in that they facilitate easy removalof removable tabs 114. Referring to FIG. 5, a top duplex tab set 170shown in dashed lines preferably includes multiple tabs of removabletabs 114 and is bounded by a top duplex tab set periphery line 172 thatextends about the periphery of top duplex tab set 170. Removal of topduplex tab set 170 converts top initial aperture 160 into a top duplexaperture 174 that is shaped and positioned to receive the top electricalsocket of a duplex outlet. Preferably, top duplex aperture 174 is asubstantially oval shape such as is common for duplex electricalsockets. Top duplex aperture 174 is bounded by a top duplex apertureperiphery line 176 that extends about the periphery of top duplexaperture 174 when top duplex tab set 170 has been removed. It should berecognized that terms such as top and bottom as used herein are used forconvenience in referring to the drawings and the cover plate could beoriented any of several different ways, such as a horizontal, ratherthan vertical, orientation of a duplex outlet.

A bottom duplex tab set 180 shown in dashed lines preferably includesmultiple tabs of removable tabs 114 and is bounded by a bottom duplextab set periphery line 182 that extends about the periphery of bottomduplex tab set 180. Removal of bottom duplex tab set 180 converts bottominitial aperture 162 into a bottom duplex aperture 184 that is shapedand positioned to receive the bottom electrical socket of a duplexoutlet. Preferably, bottom duplex aperture 184 is a substantially ovalshape such as is common for duplex electrical sockets. Bottom duplexaperture 184 is bounded by a bottom duplex aperture periphery line 186that extends about the periphery of bottom duplex aperture 184 whenbottom duplex tab set 180 has been removed.

After removing bottom duplex tab set 180 and top duplex tab set 170,base 112 can be secured to a surface so that duplex sockets are receivedby top duplex aperture 174 and bottom duplex aperture 184 by mountingscrews extending through key holes 130, box screw holes 140, or centermounting screw hole 144 and into corresponding backing hole(s) that arepreferably threaded to mate with the mounting screw(s).

If key holes 130 are used, a screw or other fastener can be partiallyturned into each backing hole. Base 112 can then be oriented so thateach head aperture 132 of each key hole 130 is aligned with acorresponding fastener head. Base 112 can then be pushed toward thebacking holes so that each fastener head extends through a correspondinghead aperture 132. Base 112 can then be slid to the left so that eachshank aperture 134 receives the shank of the corresponding fastener.Each fastener can then be turned farther into the backing hole untilhead of the fastener snugly abuts the shoulder 136 of the correspondingkey hole 130. Base 112 can be easily removed by partially loosening eachof the fasteners, sliding base 112 to the right so that the head of eachfastener aligns with the corresponding head aperture 132, and removingbase 112 so that each fastener head slides through a corresponding headaperture 132. Thus, by using key holes 130, base 112 can be mounted andremoved without fully removing the fasteners from the backing holes.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a light switch tab set 190 shown in dashedlines preferably includes a single removable tab in the center of base112 that is bounded by a light switch tab set periphery line 192 thatextends about the periphery of light switch tab set 190. Removal oflight switch tab set 190 converts bottom initial aperture 162 and topinitial aperture 160 into a light switch aperture 194 that is shaped andpositioned to receive a light switch. Preferably, light switch aperture194 is a substantially rectangular shape. Light switch aperture 194 isbounded by a light switch aperture periphery line 196 that extends aboutthe periphery of light switch aperture 194 when light switch tab set 190has been removed.

After removing light switch tab set 190, base 112 can be secured to asurface so that a light switch is received by light switch aperture 194by mounting screws extending through key holes 130, box screw holes 140,or top and bottom mounting screw holes 142 and into correspondingbacking holes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a small single round tab set 210 shown indashed lines preferably includes multiple tabs of removable tabs 114that are bounded by a small single round tab set periphery line 212 thatextends about the periphery of small single round tab set 210. Removalof small single round tab set 210 converts bottom initial aperture 162and top initial aperture 160 into a small single round aperture 214 thatis shaped and positioned to receive a small single round electricalsocket. Preferably, small single round aperture 214 is substantiallycircular in shape. Small single round aperture 214 is bounded by a smallsingle round aperture periphery line 216 that extends about theperiphery of small single round aperture 214 when small single round tabset 210 has been removed.

Note that the small single round aperture periphery line 216 intersectsthe periphery lines of other tab sets which each include one or moreremovable tabs 114. There are numerous intersects between peripherylines surrounding each of the removable tabs and tab sets. However, byexample only and not by limitation, three specific examples of peripheryline intersects may be found where the small single round apertureperiphery line 216 intersects with a periphery line 182 of duplex outlettab set 180 (FIG. 5) at point 217, with a periphery line of a tab 114associated with a larger single round aperture at point 218 (FIG. 8),and with a periphery line 232 of a ground-fault circuit interrupt (GFCI)tab set 230 (FIG. 9) at point 219.

After removing small single round tab set 210, base 112 can be securedto a surface so that a small single round electrical socket, such as a1⅜ inch single round electrical socket, is received by small singleround aperture 214 by mounting screws extending through key holes 130,box screw holes 140, or top and bottom mounting screw holes 142 and intocorresponding backing holes.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a larger single round tab set 220 shown indashed lines preferably includes multiple tabs of removable tabs 114that are bounded by a larger single round tab set periphery line 222that extends about the periphery of larger single round tab set 220.Removal of larger single round tab set 220 converts bottom initialaperture 162 and top initial aperture 160 into a larger single roundaperture 224 that is shaped and positioned to receive a larger singleround electrical socket. Preferably, larger single round aperture 224 issubstantially circular. Larger single round aperture 224 is bounded by alarger single round aperture periphery line 226 that extends about theperiphery of larger single round aperture 224 when larger single roundtab set 220 has been removed.

After removing larger single round tab set 220, base 112 can be securedto a surface so that a larger single round electrical socket, such as a1⅝ inch single round electrical socket, is received by larger singleround aperture 224 by mounting screws extending through key holes 130,box screw holes 140, or top and bottom mounting screw holes 142 and intocorresponding backing holes.

Successively larger apertures may be produced to receive successivelylarger single round electrical sockets, such as 1¾ and 2¼ inch singleround electrical sockets, by removing tab sets that include largersingle round tab set 220 plus one or more rings of removable tabs thatsurround larger single round tab set 220.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a ground-fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) tab set230 shown in dashed lines preferably includes multiple tabs of removabletabs 114 that are bounded by a GFCI tab set periphery line 232 thatextends about the periphery of GFCI tab set 230. Removal of GFCI tab set230 converts bottom initial aperture 162 and top initial aperture 160into a GFCI aperture 234 that is shaped and positioned to receive a GFCIelectrical socket. Preferably, GFCI aperture 234 is substantiallyrectangular. GFCI aperture 234 is bounded by a GFCI aperture peripheryline 236 that extends about the periphery of GFCI aperture 234 when GFCItab set 230 has been removed.

After removing GFCI tab set 230, base 112 can be secured to a surface sothat a GFCI electrical socket is received by GFCI aperture 234 bymounting screws extending through key holes 130 or box screw holes 140and into corresponding backing holes.

Some of the grooved connectors 150 define tab set periphery lines, butothers are included to make adjacent tabs easier to remove. Examples ofsuch grooved connectors include grooved connectors extending diagonallyoutwardly from the comers of light switch aperture 194 (see FIG. 6) andgrooved connectors extending inwardly from the comers of GFCI aperture234.

Base 112 and removable tabs 114 can be manufactured by die casting ifbase 112 and removable tabs 114 are made from a metal. Preferably, ifbase 112 and tabs 114 are made from metal, the metal is acorrosion-resistant metal, such as zinc or magnesium. Aluminum may alsobe preferred, although aluminum is not particularly resistant tocorrosion in a salt water environment. Alternatively, base 112 andremovable tabs 114 can be manufactured by injection molding if base 112and removable tabs are made from a polymeric material, such aspolycarbonate.

The large variety of configurations that can be made from base 112without requiring additional parts is possible because several tab setsoverlap so that many of the tabs are included in multiple tab sets.Also, several tab set periphery lines intersect and several apertureperiphery lines intersect.

Referring to FIG. 10, a cover plate 310 includes a generally rectangularplanar base 312 and plural removable tabs 314. Tabs 314 are preferablyintegral with base 312. A different set of tabs may be removed, such asby cutting, sawing, or prying, to produce each of a top duplex aperture,a bottom duplex aperture, a light switch aperture, and a single roundaperture as described above with reference to cover plate 110. Eachaperture is bounded a corresponding aperture periphery line, and eachset of tabs is bounded by a corresponding tab set periphery line.Several of the aperture periphery lines intersect, and several of thetab set periphery lines intersect as described above.

Base 312 preferably includes a planar member 316 and a continuous flange318 that extends from the periphery of planar member 316 and that isgenerally perpendicular to planar member 316.

Base 312 defines various holes for receiving mounting screws. Differentholes may be used depending on the configuration of the holes to whichcover plate 310 will be secured. Base 312 does not define key holes asdoes base 112 described above, but a base similar to base 312 couldinclude key holes similar to those described above with reference tobase 112. Base 312 does define box screw holes 340 for receivingmounting screws. Also, removable tabs 314 define top and bottom mountingscrew holes 342 and a center mounting screw hole 344. As described abovewith reference to base 112, different mounting screw holes will beutilized depending on the configuration.

Removable tabs 314 are preferably connected to each other and to base312 by connecting tabs 350 that span cut lines 352, which defineremovable tabs 314. Cut lines 352 are preferably apertures that extendthrough base 312. The dimensions, shape, and position of connecting tabs350 will preferably vary depending on the material used for tabs 314,tabs 350, and base 312. It may be preferably to have the outerconnecting tabs include more material than the inner connecting tabs sothat the outer tabs will not be inadvertently removed when removing theinner tabs.

Tabs 314 define a top initial aperture 360 and a bottom initial aperture362. Such initial apertures 360, 362 are not necessary, but they arepreferable in that they facilitate easy removal of removable tabs 314.As with base 112 described above, removable tabs 314 of base 312 includea top duplex tab set, a bottom duplex tab set, a light switch tab set, asmall single round tab set, and a GFCI tab set. However, base 312 doesnot include larger single round tab sets, although a base similar tobase 312 could include such tab sets. Each tab set may be removed toform a corresponding aperture to receive the desired electrical outletor switch. Also, many other combinations of tab sets may be includedwithin bases according to the present invention. For example, a basesimilar to base 112 or base 312 may include removable tab sets thatyield apertures to receive a rocker-type light switch, a modular phonejack, a cable television outlet, or other device. Also, such a base mayinclude any of several different combinations of the tab sets described.

Base 312 includes a pair of detachable hinge members 370 that areattached to a shorter side 371 of base 312. Each hinge member 370defines an aperture or hole 372 therein with an axis that is alignedwith the corresponding shorter side 371. Base 312 also includes a pairof detachable hinge members 374 that are attached to a longer side 375of base 312. Each hinge member 374 defines an aperture or hole 376therein with an axis that is aligned with the corresponding longer side375. Base 312 may be made from a polymer, such as polycarbonate, or ametal such as zinc, magnesium or aluminum. If base 312 is made from apolymer, it is preferably plastic injection molded. If base 312 is madefrom a metal, it is preferably made by metal stamping.

Referring now to FIG. 11, cover plate 310 also includes a cover 380 thatincludes a domed top 382 extending from a peripheral edge 384.Peripheral edge 384 is generally rectangular and includes a short hingeside 386, an opposing short lock side 388, a long hinge side 390, and anopposing long lock side 392. Cover 380 includes a pair of removablehinge members 410 attached to short hinge side 386. Each removable hingemember 410 includes a pin 412 that is adapted to mate with acorresponding hole 372 in a hinge member 370 of base 312 (see FIG. 10).Cover 380 also includes a pair of removable hinge members 414 attachedto long hinge side 390. Each removable hinge member 414 includes a pin416 that is adapted to mate with a corresponding hole 376 in a hingemember 374 of base 312 (see FIG. 10).

Cover 380 includes a latch 420 attached to short lock side 388. Latch420 includes a hook 422 that is biased to engage the periphery of base312 (see FIG. 12). Cover 380 also includes a latch 424 attached to longlock side 392. Latch 424 includes a hook 426 that is biased to engagethe periphery of base 312.

Cover 380 may be made from a polymer material such as polycarbonate byinjection molding. Alternatively, it may be made from another type ofmaterial, such as zinc, aluminum or magnesium.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, cover plate 310 is shown wherein removablehinge members 374 attached to long side 375 of base 312 and removablehinge members 414 attached to long hinge side 390 of cover 380 have beenremoved. Preferably, removable hinge members 370, 374 are integral withbase 312 and may be removed by cutting, prying, or sawing. Also,removable hinge members 410, 414 are preferably integral with cover 380and may be removed by cutting, prying or sawing. After removable hingemembers 374 and 414 have been removed, hinge members 370 attached toshort side 371 of base 312 are snapped into position with hinge members410 attached to short hinge side 386 of cover 380 so that holes 372 ofhinge members 370 receive pins 412 of hinge members 410. Cover 380 maythen be pivoted so that hook 422 of latch 420 engages the periphery ofbase 312. Latch 424 may be removed, or it may remain so that hook 426 oflatch 424 also engages the periphery of base 312. Cover 380 may alsoinclude removable tabs (not shown) that can be removed to form aperturesto receive cords or wires extending through cover 380 so that cover 380may remain latched while a socket within cover plate 310 is being used.Cover plate 310 including cover 380 is particularly useful in outdoorsettings where a weatherproof cover plate is desired. However, if cover380 is not desired, all hinge members 370, 374, 410, and 414 may beremoved and cover plate 310 can be used without cover 380.

Hinge members 370 of base 312 can be detached from hinge members 410 ofcover 380 by snapping pins 412 out of engagement with holes 372 toremove cover 380 from base 312. Thus, a user can easily attach or detachcover 380 from base 312.

From the foregoing embodiments, it can be seen that the presentinvention provides a cover plate that is extremely versatile, withoutrequiring additional parts. A cover plate may include a cover, althoughit does not necessarily need to do so. Also, sets of removable tabs maybe removed to form apertures to receive a variety of electrical devices.The tab sets are bounded by tab set periphery lines that may intersecteach other, and the resulting apertures are bounded by apertureperiphery lines that may intersect each other. Thus, tab sets andpotential apertures may overlap or they may include other tab sets orpotential apertures. With such overlaps and intersections, the presentinvention provides a large variety of possible cover plateconfigurations without requiring a user to stock several different coverplate parts.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, some or all of the removable tabs could beconnected to the base by snap-in connections rather than groovedconnectors or connecting tabs.

1. A metallic cover plate for an electrical switch or outlet, themetallic cover plate comprising: a base formed primarily of metal havingat least a first tab set comprising at least one removable tab definedby at least one groove in at least one of a front and a rear side of thebase; wherein removal of the first tab set forms an aperture sized andshaped to receive an electrical hardware device selected from the groupconsisting of a switch, a duplex socket, a ground-fault circuitinterrupt socket, and a single round electrical socket.
 2. The metalliccover plate of claim 1, wherein the base including the first tab set andthe groove are formed by die casting.
 3. The metallic cover plate ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one groove extends only partially throughthe base for a majority of its length.
 4. The metallic cover plate ofclaim 1, wherein removal of the first tab set forms an aperture sizedand shaped to receive a duplex outlet.
 5. The metallic cover plate ofclaim 1, wherein removal of the first tab set forms an aperture sizedand shaped to receive a ground-fault circuit interrupt socket.
 6. Themetallic cover plate of claim 1, wherein removal of the first tab setforms an aperture sized and shaped to receive a single round electricalsocket.
 7. The metallic cover plate of claim 1, wherein each tab withinthe at least one tab set is defined by at least one groove in at leastone of the front and the rear side of the base.
 8. The metallic coverplate of claim 1, the base further comprising a second tab setcomprising at least one removable tab, wherein removal of the at leastone tab forming the second tab set forms an aperture sized and shaped toreceive a different electrical hardware device than the electricalhardware device for the first tab set, the electrical hardware deviceselected from the group consisting of a switch, a duplex socket, aground-fault circuit interrupt socket, and a single round electricalsocket.
 9. The metallic cover plate of claim 1, wherein the base isformed of at least one of zinc, magnesium and aluminum.
 10. The metalliccover plate of claim 1, the base further comprising at least one hingemember attached to the base, the cover plate further comprising a coverhaving at least one hinge member configured to couple to the hingemember of the base to hingedly mount the cover to the base.
 11. Themetallic cover plate of claim 10, the at least one base hinge membercomprising at least a first base hinge member coupled to a first side ofthe base and at least a second base hinge member coupled to a secondside of the base different from the first base hinge member, the atleast one cover hinge member comprising at least a first cover hingemember coupled to a first side of the cover and at least a second coverhinge member coupled to a second side of the cover different from thefirst cover hinge member, wherein the first base hinge member isconfigured to selectively couple to the first cover hinge member and thesecond base hinge member is configured to selectively couple to thesecond cover hinge member so that an installer can selectively couplethe cover to the base by either the first cover hinge member or thesecond cover hinge member.
 12. The metallic cover plate of claim 1,wherein the at least one removable tab having a thickness and the atleast one groove having a depth equal to between 40% and 50% of thethickness of the removable tab.
 13. The metallic cover plate of claim 1,wherein the at least one removable tab having a thickness, the basehaving at least one groove on the front side having a depth equal tobetween 40% and 50% of the thickness, the base further having at leastone groove back side having a depth equal to between 20% and 40% of thethickness.
 14. The metallic cover plate of claim 1, wherein the at leastone removable tab having a thickness, the base having at least onegroove on the front side having a depth equal to between 20% and 50% ofthe thickness.
 15. The cover plate of claim, wherein the base defines ahead aperture that is shaped and positioned to receive the head of afastener and a shank aperture that is shaped and positioned to receivethe shank of the fastener, but not the head of the fastener.
 16. Ametallic cover plate for an electrical switch or outlet, the metalliccover plate comprising: a base formed primarily of metal having at leasta first tab set comprising at least one removable tab defined by atleast one groove in at least one of a front and a rear side of the base;a cover formed primarily of metal and having at least a first coverhinge member configured to mount to a corresponding first base hingemember attached to the base; wherein removal of the first tab set formsan aperture sized and shaped to receive an electrical hardware deviceselected from the group consisting of a switch, a duplex socket, aground-fault circuit interrupt socket, and a single round electricalsocket.
 17. The metallic cover plate of claim 16, wherein the at leastone groove extends only partially through the metallic planar member fora majority of its length.
 18. The metallic cover plate of claim 16,wherein the at least one groove forms a periphery line around the atleast one removable tab.
 19. The metallic cover plate of claim 16, thebase further comprising a second tab set comprising at least oneremovable tab, wherein removal of the at least one tab forming thesecond tab set forms an aperture sized and shaped to receive a differentelectrical hardware device than the electrical hardware device for thefirst tab set, the electrical hardware device selected from the groupconsisting of a switch, a duplex socket, a ground-fault circuitinterrupt socket, and a single round electrical socket.
 20. The metalliccover plate of claim 15, wherein the at least one removable tab having athickness and the at least one groove having a depth equal to between40% and 50% of the thickness of the removable tabs.